Advancing the National Standard for Health
and Welfare

The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) was established to promote the health and welfare of the American people by developing and maintaining high-quality certification in the colon and rectal surgery specialty.

Candidates

Candidates

Diplomates

Diplomates

Examiners

Examiners

Announcements

2024 President's Letter

This season, our President, Papaconstantinou, MD, shares valuable insights and updates in our latest newsletter.

ABCRS Professionalism Attestation Requirement

All diplomates are required to review the Policy and complete the attestation during their next login to the ABCRS Diplomate Portal.

Registration is Now Open

Registration is now open for the 2025 ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting.

Question Writing Workshop Announcement.

The Board is seeking more board-certified diplomates to write questions.

Registration Open for Oral Examination

Registration is now open for Oral Examination, click here for more information.

ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting

Join us at the ASCRS 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting in Baltimore, MD, from June 1-4, where professionals in colorectal surgery gather to explore the latest advancements, network, and enhance their skills.

The Importance of Certification

Important Dates

Future Exam Dates

FOR CANDIDATES

Written Exam

Mar
5
2025
Pearson VUE National Test Centers

ABCRS is no longer able to offer the Written Exam at Pearson Vue Testing Centers in Quebec, Canada.

Mar
3
2026
Pearson VUE National Test Centers

ABCRS is no longer able to offer the Written Exam at Pearson Vue Testing Centers in Quebec, Canada.

Oral Exam

Sep
20
2025
ABOG Testing Center

Board Meeting Dates

Mar
9
2025
Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore

Interim Meeting - Committee meetings will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025

Program Directors/Coordinators Meeting Dates

Apr
4
- 5
2025
Omni Chicago Hotel

Coordinators Meeting: April 4th
Program Directors Meeting: April 5th

Residency Review Committee

Jan
24
- 25
2025
RRC Meeting
May
2
- 3
2025
RRC Meeting

FOR CANDIDATES

Written Exam

Mar
5
2025
Pearson VUE National Test Centers

ABCRS is no longer able to offer the Written Exam at Pearson Vue Testing Centers in Quebec, Canada.

Mar
3
2026
Pearson VUE National Test Centers

ABCRS is no longer able to offer the Written Exam at Pearson Vue Testing Centers in Quebec, Canada.

Oral Exam

Sep
20
2025
ABOG Testing Center

Bring Value to Your Career

As physicians’ practices change over time, anticipating future workforce needs requires an understanding of medical advancements and the overlapping scope of practice among different specialties.

Board certification plays a vital role in making sure you critically evaluate your practices, acquire new skills, and adapt to changing patient health needs.

Find Care You Trust

When you turn to an ABCRS certified physician, you are guaranteeing the best quality care from an internationally recognized expert committed to our core competencies:

Communicative relationships built on listening and sharing

Improved sensitivity to your needs and concerns

Demonstrated, up-to-date clinical knowledge concerning your medical condition

Coordinated care from interprofessional teams and integrated systems of care

What They Say About Us

Rebecca E. Hoedema, MD
Lifelong learning is essential for a successful career in colon and rectal surgery. The Board plays a vital role in all key aspects of lifelong learning, from initial certification to ongoing evaluations, with an emphasis on excellence. The Board is an integral part of the future of our specialty and a safeguard for the communities we serve."


Rebecca E. Hoedema, MD
Cary Aarons, MD
Board certification is a hallmark of quality and a key factor in helping patients choose a qualified and skilled surgeon, who has the expertise to perform safe and effective surgical procedures. Additionally, it demonstrates that surgeons participate in ongoing education and maintenance of professional competency, ensuring that they stay current with the latest developments and best practices in their field.”
Cary Aarons, MD
Ziyad Jabaji, MD-2
To me, being board certified is important because it demonstrates my commitment to learning the science and art of this noble profession. ABCRS certification is a recognition of expertise in the practice of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and knowing their surgeon is board certified should bring patients peace of mind.”



Ziyad Jabaji, MD

With 73 years of governance, and over 2,000 Certified Colorectal Surgeons Nationwide.

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For Diplomates

CertLink Login

CertLink is an online platform that delivers questions to ABCRS Diplomates quarterly. This procedure fosters growth in medical knowledge, continuous certification and professional development.
Participation in CertLink (Part III) is a requirement of the ABCRS Continuing Certification program for diplomates certified after 1990.

Ethics and Professionalism Policy

Unethical and unprofessional behavior is denoted by any dishonest behavior, including: cheating; lying; falsifying information; misrepresenting one’s educational background, certification status and/or professional experience; and failure to report misconduct. The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy toward these behaviors, and individuals caught exhibiting such behaviors risk being permanently barred from certification, reported to state medical boards, and/or legally prosecuted for copyright or other violations.

Unethical behavior is specifically defined by the ABCRS to include the disclosure, publication, reproduction or transmission of ABCRS examinations, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purposes. This also extends to sharing examination information or discussing an examination while still in progress. Unethical behavior also includes the possession, reproduction or disclosure of materials or information, including examination questions or answers or specific information regarding the content of the examination, before, during or after the examination. This definition specifically includes the recall and reconstruction of examination questions by any means and such efforts may violate federal copyright law. All ABCRS examinations are copyrighted and protected by law; the ABCRS will prosecute violations to the full extent provided by law and seek monetary damages for any loss of examination materials.

Continuing Certification

What does it mean when a physician is required?

Continuing Certification or Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a process adopted by all 24 ABMS boards that assesses six core physician competencies approved by the ABMS and the ACGME throughout a physician’s career. The six competencies that have been identified as important to deliver quality care are communication skills, professionalism, medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, which includes the ability to measure, and improve quality of care and system-based practice. All physicians certified after 1990 are required to participate in Continuing Certification.

What does it mean when a physician is required?

Prior to 1990, certification by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery was granted for life. These certified colon and rectal surgeons are not required to recertify or to meet the requirements of Maintenance of Continuing Certification in this area but are strongly encouraged to do so.